Respiratory Care

Introduces the physiologic and pharmacological basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Focuses on the preparation and calculation of dosages and mixtures and general principles of pharmacology as they relate to the body systems. Topics include: drug preparation, dosage calculation, mixture preparation, pharmacology principles, delivery systems, respiratory drugs, and cardiopulmonary system related drugs.

Provides students with an introduction and comprehensive survey of the respiratory care profession. Emphasizes the application of physics and chemistry as the foundation for specific modes of respiratory care principles employed in patient care, including indications, hazards, contraindications, evaluation of therapy, and patient assessment. Topics include: respiratory therapy chemistry and physics principles, patient assessment, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene, infection control practices, and hospital safety.

Provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with basic respiratory therapy equipment and simulated practice of basic respiratory care modalities. Topics include: patient assessment, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, airway clearance techniques, infection control procedures, and medical ethics.

Provides an in-depth study of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology, and the diagnostic procedures commonly used in the hospital to evaluate these systems. Emphasizes the heart-lung relationship and clinical applications of these phenomena in the cardiopulmonary system. Topics include: respiratory function; ventilatory mechanisms; gas transport; laboratory analysis; natural and chemical regulation of breathing; circulation, blood flow and pressure, and cardiac function; renal physiology and related topics.

Introduces students to clinical practice in basic respiratory care procedures. Topics include: introduction to clinical affiliate, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, inspiratory and expiratory PIP/PEP devices, patient assessment, and basic life support (BLS).

Continues to develop skills used in the clinical practice. Topics include: medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, and patient assessment.

Provides instruction in the theory, set-up, operation, and maintenance of mechanical ventilators and equipment used to establish and maintain both adult and pediatric airways and emergency airway disorders. Topics include: ventilator operation, ventilator maintenance, emergency airway disorders, adult airway establishment and maintenance, pediatric airway establishment and maintenance, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, chest tube maintenance, arterial blood gas sampling, and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.

Continues development of proficiency levels in skills introduced in Clinical Practices I and II. In addition, intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, and airway care are introduced. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, airway care, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, and patient assessment.

Continues development of proficiency levels in skills introduced in Clinical Practices I, II, and III. In addition, the student is introduced to critical respiratory care. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, airway care, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, and respiratory care of the critical care patient.

Continues development of skills required in the intensive care of the respiratory patient. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: basic respiratory care of critical care patients, airway management, ventilator monitoring, arterial blood collection, blood gas analysis, and EKG.

Provides an overview of the concepts, procedures, and equipment used in rehabilitation and in the delivery of long-term care to persons with chronic pulmonary disorders. Topics include: cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care concepts, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care procedures, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care equipment.